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Freescale Semiconductor and Marvell Create Enhanced Cellular Functionality Through Wireless LAN Connectivity

Consumers can expect converged, connected devices to provide fast download times in convenient hot spot locations

Austin, TX and Sunnyvale, California (March 9, 2005) – hether in an airport or on campus, many consumers want to tap into wireless local area networks (WLAN) without carrying a heavy laptop. Taking another step toward true converged platforms, Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) and Marvell® (NASDAQ:MRVL) announced plans to offer WLAN solutions for mobile devices through Freescale's wireless platforms and applications processors.

Users want to quickly download large music files, pictures, presentations or emails while they are on-the-go and without sacrificing battery life. A cellular handset or portable device enabled by WLAN lets the user experience the expanding benefits of IEEE® 802.11 standard-based networks in global hot spots where they can download large amounts of data at faster speeds, saving precious time.

Together, Marvell and Freescale plan to provide WLAN capability into mobile handsets, smartphones and entertainment devices. Freescale customers will receive Marvell's IEEE 802.11 reference designs, ICs, software and tools to simplify customer development and time-to-market. Complementing Freescale's market-leading 3G Innovative Convergence™ and EDGE Mobile Extreme Convergence platforms, as well as i.MX applications processor family, Marvell has a complete multi-mode, lower power IEEE 802.11 product line enabling connectivity using 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11a/b/g.

Low power features include:

  • Power save modes
  • Ultra-low standby current
  • Non-pre-emptive host O/S support
  • Field upgradeable security and quality of service (QoS)

"Marvell leadership in embedded consumer WLAN, coupled with our aggressive integration strategy, allows Freescale customers to add WiFi connectivity to mobile terminals with minimal system software impact and gain significant time-to-market advantages," said Dr. Paramesh Gopi, Marvell General Manager, Embedded and Emerging Business Unit, Communications Business Group. "Our relationship with Freescale represents our joint commitment to accelerating the adoption of WLAN in high volume cellular products and enhances the consumer's cellular experience."

"Our customers ask us to help them find new methods of improving connectivity and enhancing the value of their products and services for their customers," said Klaus Buehring, Freescale's Vice President and General Manager of the Radio Products Division. "Through our partnership with Marvell, we enable our customers to take one more step toward complete seamless mobility."

Availability

The Marvell IEEE 802.11 reference design is available today for use with the Freescale Semiconductor Mobile Extreme Convergence (MXC) and i.300 3G platforms, as well as the i.MX family of applications processors.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (US). www.freescale.com

Freescale Technology Forum

Learn more about this inaugural forum, June 20-23, Orlando, Florida, featuring visionary keynote speeches, in-depth technical presentations and technology demonstrations from Freescale and leading hardware, software and tools providers. www.freescale.com/ftf

About Marvell

Marvell (NASDAQ:MRVL) is the leading global semiconductor provider of complete broadband communications and storage solutions. The Company's diverse product portfolio includes switching, transceiver, communications controller, wireless, and storage solutions that power the entire communications infrastructure, including enterprise, metro, home, and storage networking. As used in this release, the terms "Company" and "Marvell" refer to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. (MSI), Marvell Asia Pte Ltd. (MAPL), Marvell Japan K.K., Marvell Taiwan Ltd., Marvell International Ltd. (MIL), Marvell U.K. Limited, Marvell Semiconductor Israel Ltd. (MSIL), RADLAN Computer Communications Ltd., and SysKonnect GmbH. MSI is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and designs, develops and markets products on behalf of MIL and MAPL. MSI may be contacted at 408-222-2500 or at www.marvell.com.

Freescale™ and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2005.

Marvell® and the Marvell logo are trademarks of Marvell. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Safe Harbor Statement of Marvell under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "can," "may," "will," "should," "shall," "continue," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements in this release. Statements referring to or based on uncertainties also identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those relating to the described technology allowing users to gain the described commercial advantages by such use and those statements relating to the technology described herein further accelerating the adoption of WLAN in high volume consumer products. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in these statements. Some risks and uncertainties include the timing, cost and successful completion of development and volume production, end-customer qualification and adoption, and the timing, pricing, rescheduling, or cancellation of orders. For other factors that could cause Marvell's results to vary from expectations, please see the sections titled "Additional Factors That May Affect Future Results" in Marvell's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004 and Marvell's subsequent reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements.